Pawl and ratchet device



ADwz, 1941. H HARTMANN" 2,264,842'V f yPAWL AND RATCHET DEVICE Filed Aug.. 19, 1939 Patented Dec. 2, 1941 E TTSES rear orion This invention relates to supports for electrically operated devices, and has for its main object the provision of such a support which is portable and mobile, which-may be placed at any position in a room.

Another object of the invention is lthe provision of a support with a hollow base member adapted to receive a reel member on which may be coiled a length oi electrical Wire.

Another-object of the invention is the provision of a universal socket arrangement which will permit paying out or taking in the wire coiled on the reel member contained Within the base.

Another object of the inventionis the provision of a device of the character mentioned Which is practical, useful, durable, light in construction, eicient in operation, and economical to manufacture in quantity production.

Other features and objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the accompanying drawing and the ensuing description wherein like parts are designated by like symbols and in which: i

Fig. l is a front elevation cf my invention with the lower portion or base being shown in crosssection, in order `to depict the structural details of my invention clearly.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary and enlarged -cross-sectional View of the paWl engaging means used in this device showing how the same positively engages the reel member of my invention.

Fig. v3 is an enlarged plan view showing the pawl member structure and a fragmentary section of the toothed portion of the reel showing the cam means employed for positive pawl engagement with the ratchet structure of the reel member.

Referring to Figure 1, the numeral 5 generally designates my invention which comprises atop support member designated by the numeral E, which member is attached `to a standard designated by the numeral 24, and is provided with a number of ribs designated by the numeral l in order to support the said top rigidly.

The top member 6 has secured, thereto, articulately by a screw member or other similar structure not shown on the drawing, a handle member designated by the numeral 8. The top member 5 also has secured thereto theguide supports designated by the numeral 9 in order to lend rigid guiding support to the handle member 8 when moved downwardly and out of the way after the support 5 has been set-or carried to a desired position.

The dotted broken portion designated by the numeral I indicates an Aelectrical device which may be supported on this table. This table is so constructed and may support electrical instruments such as radio instrumentsmedical instruments, motion picture projectors, and such other electrical devices which .require portability and mobility Afor most efficient use and operation.

The top member 6 is provided with a female socket portion designated by the `numeral l2 which is connected thru the dual wire connection designated by the numeral i3, which connection is secured thru thecenter of the standard of the table designated by the numeral 24, and connected .to the structure within the recessed portionof the base of the table to be described later.

The male receptacle indicated in -dotted lines designated by the numeral Il is the portion of the electrical instrument l which may be instantly connected to the mechanism within the base member of the table designated by the numeral 5.

The table may be mounted on casters or roller structures designated by the numeral 3l so as to provide a maximum of utility for mobility. The handle member provides portability Iand hence the device may be instantly carried about a room placed approximately in proper position and by virtue of the rollers 3l may be moved and shifted to the exact position. The table furnishes ideal support for motion picture projectors, and also for motion picture cameras and such other instruments.

The base portion of the device designated generally `by the numeral 23, has recessed portions designated by the numerals 2E, 2, and E5 for purposes later to be described.

In the base member kis mounted a disc member designated by the numeral which is housed in a recess provided in the base and Amay be attached by screws or other similar suitable elements not indicated in the drawing. This disc member 25 is provided with a reduced shank extension designated by the numeral lid.

Within the base member is mounted a circular plate support member designated by the numeral 28 which has a .boss portion designated by the numeral 29 and which is suitably threaded in order to receive the threaded portion 33 of `the locking stud bearing designated by the numeral 30. The stud 3i! is provided with a hole in order to receive the shank extension it of the disc member designated 25.

The stud l30 is further provided with a smooth portion `in order Yto receive the ball-bearing cage designated by the numeral 31%, which ts into a suitable recessed portion of the reel member designated by the numeral I8. The reel member as can be seen is provided with a lower iiange extension designated by the numeral 2U, and is made of an insulating material such as hard rubber or Bakelite.

The reel I8 has a recessed portion to receive a number of coils of electric wire designated by the numeral I9. The said Wire has one end passed thru the universal socket designated by the numeral 45, the other end is secured by soldering indicated at 2I, or binding post means, or in any other suitable manner, to the commutator segment designated by the numeral I1, which is of a step formation in order to reinforce the reel member at the top portion, and also in order to provide suitable contacting electrically conductive material for the brush member designated by the numeral I6.

The brush I6 is connected by virtue of wires I4 and I5, to the socket member formerly mentioned, and designated by the numeral I2. The brush member I6 is held in frictional contacting engagement or under tension by the spring designated by the numeral 22 which is secured by a screw or other means to the recess designated by the numeral 26 in the drawing.

The plate member 28 is secured within the recess 21 of the base member by virtue of the screws designated by the numeral 32.

The reel member I8 is provided with spokes 35 in order to facilitate assembly and with a recess 43 to fit the shank extension 42, and also a suitable recess in order to accommodate and receive rotatably the bearing cage member designated by the numeral 34. The reel member has a further recess designated by the numeral 36 in order to receive a spirally shaped spring designated by the numeral 31 which is attached by the screw 38 at one of its ends, the other end being attached to the adapter plate member designated by the numeral 4I, and held in place to the base member by a screw designated by the numeral 3S, whereas the screw or rivet 4G attaches one end of the said spring 31 to the adapter plate designated by the numeral 4I The lower flange 20 of the reel member designated by the numeral I8 as can be seen in Figure 3, is provided with a series of ratchet teeth designated by the numeral 55, which are engaged `by a cooperating pawl member 56.

The pawl 56 is attached swivellably to a screw member designated by the numeral 64, which ts into a square nut having square faces designated by the numeral 60, and a threaded hole to attach to the threaded portion of the screw 64. The top portion 6I of the nut is spherical in order that it may be handled more conveniently when it is desired to depress the pawl member designated by the numeral 56.

The pawl may be attached to the body of the screw 64 by virtue of a pin 59 or any other suitable manner. It is to be noted particularly that I provide at the top portion of the pawl member slightly chamfered edges as indicated by the numerals 51 and 58, the purpose of this being that, when it is desired to reel back a certain quantity of electrical wire I9 on the reel, the pawl member may be depressed by pressing on the portion 6I of the nut member heretofore mentioned, and `by compressing the spring 63, whence the pawl is brought out of engagement with the ratchet teeth designated 55, and as can be seen in the illustration (Figure 2) this action allows the potential energy stored in the spring member designated by the numeral 31 to actuate the reel in a direction whereby it will wind up the wire I9 which had been rst pulled out or paid out thru the socket member designated 45.

When an instrument has once been connected to the table member, it may be placed in a most desirable or ideal position for the purpose.

The electric wire I9 to which is attached a male plug (not shown) may then be pulled out by paying it out from the reel, the pawl and ratchet members heretofore mentioned automatically locking the reel in place when the suitable amount of wire has been pulled out, then it is plugged into a wall receptacle or any other receptacle.

In order to prevent a great amount of wear upon the insulated wire I9, the universal socket 45 has been provided which comprises a ball shaped member designated by the numeral 48, having two neck extensions, and having a drilled hole therein, providing a guide portion designated by the numeral 46. A wider portion designated by the numeral 41 is provided for clearance for the wire and to minimize friction which may be caused as the result of pulling the wire in and out thru this socket member.

By virtue of the ball shaped portion 46, this socket member operates in a universal manner, and permits pulling the wire in any direction without causing any binding or friction, thus providing a freedom and range of action which is ideal in pulling the wire out or in; or once the table has been connected in place, if it should be desired to change its location, in which event it may be desired to pull the wire out somewhat further, that can be done readily whether the receptacle connecting the end of the wire I9 is high up on a wall or at a low point toward the base molding. There will be no interference with the moving of the table, inasmuch as the socket arrangement will tilt and incline itself, and accommodate the smooth action and operation provided for pulling the wire in and out.

The ball socket arrangement 48 is maintained f in place by the members 49 and 50 which are attached to the base by virtue of the flange portions 52 and 5I, and held in place, respectively, by the screws designated 53, and 54.

It is to be noted that each of the members 49 and 50 are provided with wide bell-mouthed openings in order to permit the neck portion 45 to operate universally therein and provide suiiicient clearance therefor.

In Figure 2 the pawl structure requires that the hole designated by the numeral 62 be square in section, and somewhat larger than the square section 66 of the nut designated 6i heretofore referred to, in order to permit the pawl member to oscillate about the screw guide designated by the numeral 64, and act as an escapement when the line I9 is being paid out; whereas the nut 6D controls and limits the radial motion of the pawl member 56 because the square hole 62 is only slightly larger than the square section 69 of the nut.

This permits the pawl member to operate or radiate within the necessary limitation for escapernent action, yet will always permit the pawl to be confined so that after it is depressed to the dotted position 56 shown in Figure 2, it may be allowed to come back into engagement with one of the teeth 55, especially by virtue of the chamfers 51 and 58, it will actually cam itself into place, and definitely locate itself, once the spring 63 is released and permitted to resume its normal position as indicated by the full lines in Figure 2.

I believe that I have described rather succinctly the nature of the construction, assembly, and operation of my device and its particular advantages in having a Wide application for receiving electrical devices thereon Where such instruments have to be conveniently carried about or moved Within a room for placing them in alignment or position.

This invention may be used by doctors, opticians, Optometrists, may be used in laboratories, in the home, and at hospitals for the support of radio instruments which have to be moved about from room to room.

It may be used ideally for mounting motion picture projectors Where it is highly desirable to have them placed on a support which can be moved about conveniently and set in certain position in denite alignment With the screen, thus providing the best arrangement for ideal motion picture projection.

Altho I have described and herein shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, and inasmuch as I realize that it is susceptible of many alterations, modications, and improvements, I reserve the right to all such changes, alterations, improvements, and modifications which come Within the scope and spirit of my invention, the accompanying drawing, and within the purview of the foregoing description; my invention being limited only by the subjoined claim.

Having thus described and revealed my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

Ratchet control means comprising, a ratchet member rotatably mounted, a paWl member pivotably and slidably mounted, the said pawl member rigidly secured to a rod member mounted in a bearing having a polygonal counter-bo-re section, a nut member secured to said rod member of the same polygonal shape as the said counterbored section being of slightly lesser cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of said counter-bored section, and spring means confined within the said counter-bored section securely located in position by the said nut member.

HENRY HARTMANN. 

